Cyber Security
Cyber Security has emerged as the most pressing issue of the twenty-first century as a result of global shifts. Even if PCs and cellphones have made our lives easier, they have also made it possible to get into trouble if we aren’t careful. Many instances have been reported regarding discovering fraud deeds and the spread of data breaches that have had severe ramifications for internet users. This shows that not just one person is responsible for the consequences, but the entire community. The security breach can lead to loss of privacy, safety, identity theft, etc. So, there is an urgent need to improve cybersecurity to protect private information and data.
Cyber Attacks
The main objective of this research work was to analyze the importance of cyber attacks on different sectors like government, banking, healthcare, retail, education, and insurance. It also focuses on the importance of cybersecurity in the 21st Century. In addition, we have analyzed the impact of cyberattacks on human lives and their consequential effects.
Why is Cyber Security Important?
People use computers for various purposes, from email to online shopping, playing games, and even doing their daily activities like going to school or university. All these activities use Internet services. However, all these activities are exposed to cyber threats because hackers are trying to steal your details (like names, passwords) and financial information (credit card numbers, bank account numbers).
These hackers may also try to steal confidential information about you, such as medical records, social media accounts, etc. You might lose money by making payments through credit cards or debit cards. They may also steal your data to commit identity theft. Hackers could also sell this information to other companies so that they can harm you financially or physically.
Why do we need to Improve Cyber Security?
There are many reasons why we need to improve cybersecurity. Some of them include:
1- Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated every day. They continuously develop new techniques to hack into networks and steal sensitive information. As a result, it becomes tough to protect yourself against cybercrimes.
2- Your data is at risk when connected to the Internet. Hackers and cybercriminals are always looking for ways to gain access to information stored on computers, mobile devices, and servers. If they succeed, they can do anything with your data, including stealing your identity, damaging your reputation, and ruining your business.
3- More than 1.5 billion smartphones exist today, and over 75% of those are running Android OS. According to Gartner, the number of Android handsets will grow to 2.2 billion by 2017. This means that most people who own smartphones are vulnerable to hacking.
4- Many organizations are storing vast amounts of confidential information in databases. Hackers know where to look and how to exploit weaknesses in database software.
5- More and more businesses are moving away from paper-based processes and electronic ones. Unfortunately, most organizations still rely heavily on old technology and outdated practices. So if hackers get hold of your company’s internal documents, they can expose your business secrets and put your company at risk.
6- The rapid growth of cloud computing has led to vast increases in storage capacity. That means there’s a greater chance your data will fall into the wrong hands.
Advancement of Cyberattacks
To understand the advancement of cyberattacks, let us look at some of the standard methods used by hackers to break into your system.
Phishing – In phishing emails, hackers send messages that appear to be from trusted sources. For example, they may impersonate banks, paywalls, or other legitimate websites. Phishers often try to trick you into giving up your password, username, or other login credentials.
Social Engineering – Social engineering involves manipulating someone into revealing confidential information. It takes advantage of human weakness, such as curiosity or trust. Hackers use fake websites, phone calls, text messages, and emails to trick people into entering their logins and divulging their private information.
Malware refers to viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, adware, and other malicious programs designed to infiltrate computers and cause problems. Some malware is designed to steal passwords, credit card numbers, bank account details, or any different kind of valuable information. Other types of malware spread via spam email, corrupt downloads, infected websites, etc.
DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Attacks – Distributed denial of service attacks involves multiple attackers sending website requests. Rather than flooding the site with many demands, these attacks overwhelm the target server with requests, making it impossible for legitimate visitors to access the site.
Ransomware – Ransomware is malware that blocks access to files until a ransom is paid. Once the attacker gets what he wants, he usually deletes all files stored on the computer.
Virus Infections – Viruses attack the operating systems of computers using code embedded in them. They can also be passed along through removable media like USB drives or CDs and infect another device when plugged in.
Worm Infection – Worms are self-replicating pieces of software that hop from one computer to another.
Exploitation Tools – Exploit tools are programs that allow hackers to find vulnerabilities in software applications and devices. Once found, an exploiter uses the means to test whether those vulnerabilities exist in his target’s environment.
Reverse Engineering – Reverse engineering is taking something apart to see how it works. It’s done to learn about the inner workings, hardware device, or another object. As a result, reverse engineers often uncover security flaws and ways to improve the design of things.
Precaution is the Best Way to Stand up Against an Online Threat!
With this technology change, the digital age has brought its own set of challenges. The constant connectivity to the Internet brings threats and dangers to our lives. We have seen changes in the way we live today because of advancements in technology. There are several tips to stay safe online. Here we are mentioning a few points that will help you keep yourself safe while surfing the web:
- Use Anti-virus Software
There are different types of antivirus software available in the market. Choose the right one depending upon your needs and requirements. An effective antivirus should protect against both known viruses and unknown ones. Keep your virus protection updated to ensure maximum coverage.
- Install Firewall
A firewall prevents malicious traffic from entering your network. It acts as a barrier between your local area network and the Internet by filtering out unauthorized access. Most firewalls come preconfigured with default settings, but you can customize them according to your specific needs.
- Password Protection
Passwords are essential for keeping the identity of people secure while accessing their accounts. However, if someone knows the password, they could easily hack into your system. So, always use strong passwords and ensure you don’t share them with anyone else.
- Secure Your Network
The best way to prevent cyberattacks is to create secure network infrastructure. Encrypt sensitive documents, restrict access to confidential information, and implement user authentication mechanisms. Also, perform regular backups.
- Avoid Phishing Attacks
Phishing refers to fraudulent attempts at stealing personal information such as usernames and passwords. These attacks usually take place over email. You should never click on links or open attachments sent to you via email unless you know who sent them. Instead, type the website directly into your browser.
- Don’t Share Passwords.
Never give out your account details to anyone. If you need to provide login credentials to someone, ask them to visit the site directly rather than giving them your username and password.
- Report Suspicious Activity
When you notice suspicious activity on your social media accounts, report it immediately to the appropriate authorities. In most cases, you won’t get any additional information back; however, sometimes, you may receive some helpful advice.
Conclusion
Cybercrime is no longer limited to just computer systems. It’s now impacting every aspect of our daily lives. Therefore, it is essential to make sure we do everything possible to avoid being victims of these crimes. Remember the steps mentioned above and follow them to stay away from these dangerous situations.